Calvert Hall's C.J. Williams commits to play football at Navy

Calvert Hall was 4-7 during C.J. Williams' freshman year. The Cardinals went 21-3 over the past two years with Williams playing a big role in that as both a linebacker and running back.

Calvert Hall was 4-7 during C.J. Williams' freshman year. The Cardinals went 21-3 over the past two years with Williams playing a big role in that as both a linebacker and running back. (Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun)

David Selig

When C.J. Williams posted on his Facebook page Tuesday night that he was committing to play football at Navy, more than 500 people “liked” the status update.

Finding a Football Bowl Subdivision school that liked Calvert Hall’s All-Metro linebacker enough to offer a full scholarship was a bit more of a challenge.

Despite having 85 tackles, two interceptions, four sacks and three forced fumbles for the No. 2 Cardinals (10-2) this fall — and adding more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage on offense — Williams for a while only had offers from three Football Championship Subdivision schools.

That made it even sweeter when Williams agreed to accept a full scholarship to Navy after visiting the campus Tuesday.

“They just want players,” the senior said in a phone interview Wednesday. “They don’t care about how tall you are or how much you weigh, and that’s what I like about them so much.”

At 6 feet, 205 pounds, it was hard for some schools to project whether Williams would be a better fit as a safety or outside linebacker. He said the Navy coaches plan to hold off on deciding whether he’ll play one of those postitions or running back until they see where he’s needed most.

Williams had also drawn offers from Lehigh, Bucknell and Monmouth. Wake Forest showed interest but didn’t offer a full scholarship.

“It was definitely frustrating seeing other kids that got offers … but I just used it as fuel and motivation,” Williams said. “It made me work even harder to get those offers. I didn’t put my head down. I just kept working.”

Calvert Hall coach Donald Davis says it’s sometimes tricky to predict which kids will receive the most interest from colleges. But there’s no question how Davis feels about Williams, a four-year varsity player who came in when the Cardinals were a losing program and left after two years in which the team went a combined 21-3.

“He’s one of the most important guys in our program in many, many years,” Davis said. “He’s been a part of every phase from the rebuilding to the [2010 MIAA A Conference] championship, and he’s been a key component and ingredient in every phase of the maturation of the program. …

“He’s a great kid, he’s a hard worker, he’s disciplined. He’s got the qualities they’re going to be looking for [at Navy]. I think it’s a good fit.”

Rivals.com has reported that Penn State offered scholarships Tuesday to Calvert Hall wide receiver Trevor Williams and cornerback Da’Quan Davis, both of whom have already committed to West Virginia. Rivals also reports that Williams has decommitted from the Mountaineers.

Donald Davis declined to comment on that report, saying it’s common for other schools to continue recruiting players even after they commit.

The first day football players can sign their national letters of intent is Feb. 1, and Davis said he expects both players to have their decisions made before then.